Our Response

I have written several posts recently about the last days. While I believe this is important information, and people need to hear it, what good is it if we don't prepare for it now? And even if this generation does not live to see these events take place, we will all eventually stand before God anyway.

Peter tells us that the day of the Lord will bring sudden destruction upon the world as we know it. In view of that, how should we be conducting ourselves now (2 Peter 3:10-11)?

We find an answer a few verses later,

But according to His promise we are looking for a new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.

Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless.

                          2 Peter 3:13-14 NASB

First, let's get our focus on the eternal. This world we live in is temporary. Ever since the fall it's been wearing out. We read in Romans that the whole creation is groaning for deliverance (Romans 8:19-22). Our possessions are temporary. Nothing lasts forever, and we can't take it with us anyway. So we must come to an understanding about this reality, and look forward to a new heavens and earth, and even more than that, long for Jesus to return. Jesus is coming for those who eagerly look for Him (Heb 9:27). 

Just like a child who eats a candy bar just before supper, our hunger for Jesus can be ruined by our possessions. We can get to a place where our happiness and security is all bound up in what we have here and now. Jesus warns about this, telling us that our treasures will steal our hearts

(Matt 6:19-21).

Then, we must be found by Jesus in peace. We must be at peace with God, and also with one another. Romans 5:1 tells us that we have peace with God through Jesus Christ. He is our justification, we appropriate it through faith. However, we can get complacent and neglect keeping short accounts with Him. In 1John 1:9 we read, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If you are aware of sin in your life confess it, turn from it. Be diligent to be found in Him at peace, spotless and blameless. It's easy to get dirty in this life, therefore we are told to be diligent. Make every effort, by God's grace and strength, to live in conformity to His will and word! 

And we cannot neglect peace with our fellow man. That involves love, forgiveness, overlooking things that really don't matter. Jesus finds this so important that He has this to say about it, 

Therefore, if you presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

Leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

                            Matt 5:23-24 NASB

And in Hebrews we read this,

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.

                        Hebrews 12:14 NASB

Again, peace with our fellow man is not an option. We must do what we can to maintain it. Our brother may refuse, but we need to do as much as possible on our part (Romans 12:18). 

And sanctification is another way of saying holy living. It's our growth in godliness. We who have found salvation in Christ, now must grow in that grace. We learn what pleases the Lord, and we act accordingly. 

There is so much more I could say here, but I think it will be better to take several posts and discuss how we can live now in preparation to someday meet Jesus.